U.S. military bases to provide abortions?

U.S. military bases to provide abortions? Marshall Ramsey II, Worthy News US Correspondent Washington, D.C. (Worthy News) -- The United States Senate is poised to vote on a bill as soon as today on whether to remove a ban on abortions being performed on US military bases, Worthy News has learned. It officially is marked as an amendment to an already existing bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would provide funding for the United States Defense Department. The amendment is sponsored by pro-abortion Sen. Rolland Burris of Illinois. If passed, it would cause the military to break its 15 year stance against performing abortions on its bases. Taking sides The Senate is expected to vote on a cloture vote on the motion to proceed with Harry Reid, senate Democrat leader, asking senators to allow the measure to have an up or down vote. Senator Ben Nelson a Democrat, joined Sen. Roger Wicker and the rest of Senate Armed Services Committee Republicans voting against the amendment. Sen. Wicker was the most outspoken in the committee, voting against the amendment and even offering his own amendment that would strike Sen. Burris' amendment from the bill. Harry Reid, a pro-abortion senator, is asking fellow senators to end debate so the measure can have an up or down vote. The Reid motion appears to disallow Sen. Wicker's amendment from being considered. Current stance on the issue The current law regarding abortions being performed on military bases, passed in 1996, prevents abortions from being performed by Department of Defense (DoD) medical personnel or in DoD medical facilities. Funding of abortions performed on women in the military is also prohibited by a different amendment, except when it is to save the life of the mother. Overseas bases to be included Sen. Burris' amendment is different than a previous effort by pro-abortion advocates in 2006 because it would permit abortions to be performed not only on domestic military bases, but also on those overseas. In August 2010, a group of over 200 physicians who have given medical care to U.S. soldiers signed a letter to members of the U.S. Senate protesting the Burris amendment. Christian Medical Association (CMA) Senior Vice President Gene Rudd, MD, recipient of the Gorgas Award for distinguished service in the United States military, who organized the letter, urged lawmakers to vote against the NDAA if the Burris amendment is not removed. "If enacted, requiring military physicians to perform abortions threatens military readiness. Morale will suffer among those already serving," he said." Furthermore, just as we have seen a marked decrease in young doctors entering OB/Gyn training for fear of being forced to do abortion, this requirement will discourage young doctors from joining the military. In addition to facilitating further destruction of unborn life, the provision will place military physicians with life-honoring convictions in the unenviable position of either disobeying orders, abandoning their conscience, or seeking objector status." Former President Bill Clinton allowed abortions to be performed on military bases from 1993-1996. This prompted all military physicians and many nurses and support personnel to refuse to perform, or even assist, in performing abortions Lifenews.com contributed to this story